Posts by TonusOH

27

June 2024 WT: Don't talk about Anthony Morris

by neat blue dog in

the latest study edition mentions hypothetical scenarios of jws who are no longer serving at bethel or no longer elders, etc.

and says we shouldn't speculate, as defaming them could border on slander.. we could unintentionally defame someone by spreading negative information.

..... would it be proper to speculate on the reasons why these adjustments were made and to share that opinion with others?.

TonusOH

Would it be proper to speculate on the reasons why these adjustments were made and to share that opinion with others? There may well be reasons for the change that we are unaware of.

Translation: The GB moves in strange and mysterious ways.

Don't JWs get tired of this game? They are constantly told about the cleansing light of truth, how nothing can be hidden because truth will eventually shine through, how important it is to be forthright and honest... but also how it's not your business, and what happens in Bethel stays in Bethel. I suppose there was a time when their blind trust could be excused, but these days the same GB is admitting that they get things wrong and won't apologize for it. In other words, they're run-of-the-mill politicians. And no one trusts them.

10

Inaccuracies regarding pagan origins

by AEnEm in

easter and christmas have pagan origins.

many of us were told that since birth.

the evidence?

TonusOH

Jeffro: Yahweh, originally part of Canaanite pantheon

For some reason, my brain initially read this as "Yahweh, originally part of Canadian pantheon."

And I thought, 'wow, that explains SOOO MUCH.'

Then I read it again.

3062

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars (continued)

by Simon in

jw
friends

uh oh, looks like the mega thread gave up the ghost, so while i investigate / fix it just continue the discussion here .... it's been a long 9 years lloyd evans / john cedars.

TonusOH

He might be doing more begging behind-the-scenes. Contacting people and asking for help. He might also be down to the few remaning hardcore supporters. We knew that the loss of support would slow down at some point, and frankly I am surprised if it has taken this long to get to that point.

It remains a problem for him that he really doesn't want to do JW-related stuff and hates not having others to do the dirty work at a discount (or for free). The hardcore supporters will begin to drop off unless his output increases, and increasing his output will make him even more miserable. His income is down quite a lot and one has to wonder how often he will be able to travel and take time off.

As Stephen Lett would say, it looks like we're at the beginning of the last part of his last days.

47

Norway

by St George of England in

so the wt society is going to contest the recent norway ruling.. jehovah’s witnesses to appeal unconstitutional ruling in norway (jw.org).

their true colours are shown in the statement: "the decision to deregister jehovah’s witnesses denies us the financial aid and other benefits that the government provides to over 700 registered religious communities in the country.

additional consequences include losing the right to appoint and authorize ministers of jehovah’s witnesses as officiants for weddings.".

TonusOH

Saying "this decision denies us money and perks" is just stating the obvious. That is the whole idea behind the decision-- to put pressure on them to change the shunning policy or lose out on benefits. Whether or not it is unconstitutional is yet to be determined.

The thing I found cringe-worthy is their willingness to lump themselves in with all of those other religious groups that get government funding and perks. Whatever happened to 'not being a part of this world'? Shouldn't they be celebrating the way they are being singled out, unlike all of those 'false religions'?

This is also an opportunity for them to show that they will not bow to pressure. If the court upholds the withdrawal of their official registration, will they keep the shunning rules intact? Or will those rules change? Will they change the shunning rules and apply for registration again? Because that would sound like they gave in. That would sound like they prefer to be treated like all of the other religions. That would mean they put money and perks before their own integrity.

Come on, WatchTower! Show the world that you can't be swayed by money and official government recognition! Be proud of standing alone and rejecting any deals with Satan's world!

22

The "10 Year Plan" - What is the realistic outcome?

by redsetter2 in

as there has been some discussion calling bs on this topic, .

i will paste the text from my 10 year plan post and i will critically evaluate how i feel things will turn out.

i will add bold italics my thoughts.. the governing body has a 10-year marketing plan to remodel the organization to become closer to a mainstream christian religion.

TonusOH

So almost everything will become a conscience matter?

If the idea is to go from a group that tries to control behavior at every level to one that leaves everything up to the individual, it's a completely different organization. A good name would be Whatever Truth is Fine. Maybe WTF[.]org is available for the new website.

42

Is there really a Bible rule against sex without marriage?

by Halcon in

regarding the poster from jw headquarters, who claimed that the gb would eventually loosen the rules regarding sex.

the question is, is there really a bible rule explicitly prohibiting sex without marriage?

because this would be the only possible reason why loosening those rules would even come up in a discussion.

TonusOH

I don't think those rules were applied to Bathsheba.

3062

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars (continued)

by Simon in

jw
friends

uh oh, looks like the mega thread gave up the ghost, so while i investigate / fix it just continue the discussion here .... it's been a long 9 years lloyd evans / john cedars.

TonusOH

I don't know what they were hiding in their skirts, but I am pretty sure none of them 'dated' Lloyd. But maybe that's what they call it at the Rent-a-Hooker in Phuket.

13

Do COs and Branch Officials Have A Rulebook?

by NotFormer in

elders have a rulebook.

do cos and their superiors have a similar written set of guidelines setting out everything they're supposed to be on top of?.

what prompted the question was a statement by jehovax that there is a new elders manual coming out due to the new changes.

TonusOH

Dunno. I wonder if the IPs are all the same or not. But that's just the old forum admin in me, being restless.

They all sound alike, though. Hung up on vaccines and 'JW Lite.'

6

Elders or any higher ups at Bethel get paid?

by TxNVSue2023 in

i found this while googling.

i thought elders and/or high rankers don't get paid.

is there something i don't know?

TonusOH

Those sites allow people to add data anonymously. As far as I know, they do not confirm anything that is entered. If you could earn $50k-to-$95k a year serving as an elder, congregations would be overflowing with elders.

The WTS would sooner request that elders pay $50k a year for the privilege.

35

Beware of someone who will "cry wolf"!

by redsetter2 in

the following is an excerpt from one of aesop's fables.. the boy who cried "wolf"!.

there once was a shepherd boy who was bored as he sat on the hillside watching the village sheep.

to amuse himself he took a great breath and sang out, "wolf!

TonusOH

I would assume the purpose of fake accounts and websites is to see if they can identify the people who are giving away information from the inside. Internal witch hunts, to match the ones they use to try and identify PIMOs who run websites and video channels. And, as a side benefit for them, they might just identify rank-and-file members who have let their curiosity get the better of them, and nip any of this "think for myself" madness in the bud.